YM778.TV Chapter 6: Food Shortage!
He observed his nephew with a mix of fondness and pity. "Ah, to be young and draped in naivety! Do you reckon overseeing a tribe is a trifling matter?"
"The backbone of our tribe\'s economy rests upon the mining of mineral mines and the procurement of monster leather. Yet, both are treasures veiled in adversity, not easily plucked from the earth or skin, we have to safeguard them."
Begon continued, the wisdom of his words painting a stark picture, "Annually, we\'re compelled to stockpile provisions against unforeseen calamities, draining nearly all our painstakingly gathered savings. Thus, the reserves we speak of today were only just reclaimed this year."
"The cost of essentials like firewood and rice, the challenges of guiding a beastman tribe, these are burdens you\'ve yet to fully grasp. In time, you will understand."
Inside, Begon allowed himself a slight smile. Though he harbored no illusions about usurping his father\'s position, he recognized his nephew\'s youthful eagerness. The boy would inevitably look to him for guidance in the intricacies of tribe leadership.
Thus, he remained unperturbed, knowing the wisdom of holding onto his influential voice within the tribe.
Logan, the nephew, nodded in understanding, his mind swirling with complexities of managing the tribe. Despite the high value of monster leather, the creatures from which it came were dwindling in the wastelands, victims to the relentless hunt by all tribes. Their numbers could not rebound fast enough, rendering them scarce.
"Unless we dare the treacherous paths near the Black Wind Mountains, where monsters are everywhere, yet danger too lurks at every turn, our plight will remains unchanged," Begon concluded, his words heavy with the weight of leadership and the stark realities of their world.
Many moons ago, a tale unfolded of a strong beastman tribe that dispatched a strong worrior, accompanied by a cadre of valiant warriors, into the heart of the Black Wind Mountains. Their quest for glory and bounty instead invoked the wrath of mythical beasts that dwelled within those shadowed vales.
It\'s said that these legendary creatures, roused to fury, hunted the intruders to the brink of extinction, wreaking havoc on the tribes in their path and leaving the once-mighty tribe teetering on the edge of ruin.
In a desperate bid to quell the ensuing chaos, the Royal Court had to finally intervene, deploying an assembly of legendary champions to drive these fearsome beasts back into the depths of the Black Wind Mountains. but this was enough for deterring any thoughts of large-scale hunts within the treacherous mountain range.
Consequently, monster leather, once a staple of beastman tribe, has become a rare commodity. Most beastman tribes, recognizing the peril, shifted their strategies towards domesticating their own monster\'s populations. Yet, the Silvermane tribe, lacking such prowess and already burdened by the care of mere wolves, found themselves outmatched by their compatetion.
As for the mining of mineral veins, the Silvermane tribe\'s claims were modest at best, securing only a handful of minor mines. Among these, ordinary iron ore held little value; it was the rare ores intertwined within that glittered with the promise of wealth, some commanding considerable prices.
Yet, the elusive nature of these treasures mirrored the capricious fortune of gold prospectors of old; success was as much a matter of luck as it was of effort.
Logan, ever the visionary, understood the tribe\'s need for a sustainable source of wealth. But with the specter of famine looming over them, such long-term plans felt like distant dreams.
After much contemplation, he proposed to his uncle, "Let us consolidate our resources, uncle Begon. Invest all our savings into provisions at the earliest. As the old wisdom goes, \'With food in hand, the world is ours.\' We cannot risk scarcity."
"Convert all our reserves into food?" Begon queried, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Should we not reserve some gold for unforeseen exigencies?" he pressed, skepticism lacing his tone.
Logan\'s resolve did not waver. "There\'s no merit in half-measures. Our immediate crisis is starvation. And as you\'ve outlined, the cost of provisions escalates daily. By acting swiftly, we secure more with what we have." His determination was palpable, rooted in the belief that preemptive action would shield their tribe from the harsh winds of fate.
Faced with the pressing reality of dwindling reserves, the choice to convert all into provisions, though harsh, seemed the only logical path. "What merit does hoarding scant savings bring, if not to assure our survival through sustenance?" the reasoning went, pointing towards the procurement of food as a beacon of relief.
"I understand," Begon acknowledged, his voice carrying a mix of reluctance and acceptance. Despite his initial reservations about his nephew\'s bold strategy, the undeniable spike in food prices lent a certain pragmatism to the decision. Securing provisions early could indeed stretch their limited funds further.
Logan, with the weight of new leadership upon his shoulders, addressed his trusted advisors - his two uncles, and the two seasoned commanders. "As I step into these shoes of leadership, I\'m acutely aware of my novice standing. My reliance on your counsel and vigilance will be important," he admitted with humility, yet his voice did not waver.
"In time, as I familiarize myself with the intricacies of our tribe, we shall delve into broader discussions, like expansion and you roles."
His ascension to the throne marked a period of cautious observation rather than radical overhaul. Stability for his people was the priority, with sweeping changes set aside for a more opportune moment.
Affirmative nods met his proclamation, and as he signaled the meeting\'s end, the attendees rose, offered their salutes - a gesture of respect and solidarity - and retreated from the council chamber.
Left in the quiet aftermath, Logan found himself in the company of his grandfather, Barnett, who couldn\'t help but express his pride. "Haha, my boy, to have such vision in your youth assures me that the Silver Mane Tribe, my legacy, remains in capable hands," he chuckled, his laughter echoing warmth and approval.
The evident prowess in leadership displayed by Logan had not only exceeded his expectations but had also subtly shifted the familial dynamics of power and respect.
"That\'s only because of your presence, Grandpa. Your support is my pillar of confidence," Logan humbly credited his grandfather, though underlying his words was the acknowledgment of his current dependence on the elder\'s influence and strength.
Barnett, sensing his grandson\'s underlying concerns about asserting authority over the tribe and navigating the dynamics with his uncles and commanders, reassured him, "Don\'t hold back, my child.
Your potential is clear to me, and I will ensure your uncles understand this as well." He understood all too well that in their culture, strength commanded respect, and a chief\'s lack thereof could undermine his position.
In this moment, a pact of support and mentorship was silently forged between them, underpinning Logan\'s nascent reign with the strength of ancestral wisdom and the promise of a future sculpted by bold leadership and strategic patience.
The whisperings of Logan\'s ascendancy to the helm of the Silvermane tribe swept swiftly through its ranks, stirring the air with a blend of anticipation and resolve. In the wake of the former chief\'s demise—a loss that shook the tribe\'s core—the emergence of a new leader sparked a beacon of hope amongst the populace, reigniting the embers of resilience and unity.
As dawn painted the sky with hues of promise, the fields of the Silvermane tribe bore witness to this new chapter. Here, amidst the fertile lands entrusted with their sustenance, Logan made his presence known. His arrival, flanked by his uncle Begon, commanded the attention and respect of the tribesmen, each one a wolf beastman dedicated to the cultivation of these lands.
Begon, roused from the comfort of morning\'s ease, found himself amidst the verdant fields at such an early hour by the summons of Logan—a move that piqued his curiosity as much as it disrupted his routine. "To what do we owe this unexpected venture into the fields at dawn?" he pondered, the question hanging silently between them.
It was then that Logan, with a demeanor calm and assured, turned his attention to a middle-aged beastman, the steward of these planting grounds. "Your name is Cobos, correct?" he inquired, a friendly smile gracing his lips, cutting through the morning chill.
Cobos, momentarily caught in the whirlwind of recognition, stumbled over his words. "Yes, Young Chie—no, Chief!" he corrected himself, the title tangling on his tongue in his haste.
Logan, unfazed by the flustered response, continued, "Ease your worries, Cobos. My visit today is born of curiosity. How fares the project I entrusted to you over a month ago?"
Begon, standing a step behind, felt a stir of intrigue. This mention of a month-old arrangement was news to him, sparking an interest in what his nephew had set in motion even before his ascension was official.
Cobos, reassured by Logan\'s gentle approach, found his composure. "Chief, the efforts you\'ve laid the groundwork for have borne fruit. Please, allow me to show you," he invited, a newfound confidence in his stride